By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Friday May 9, 2008 8:36:24 EDT
The last Arleigh Burke-class destroyer will bear the name of a Navy SEAL awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan.
The Michael Murphy, DDG 112, honors Lt. Michael P. Murphy, who led a four-man team searching for a key Taliban leader in mountains near Asadabad, Afghanistan. On June 28, 2005, the team came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. According to the Navy, Murphy, although mortally wounded by enemy fire, knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds.
Navy Secretary Donald Winter announced the selection of Murphy’s name for DDG 112 at a May 7 ceremony in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Murphy’s hometown of Patchogue, N.Y., dedicated a park in to Murphy. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park contains a black granite wall dedicated to the men lost in Operation Red Wing, with each member’s name inscribed. A black granite stone embedded in the plaza bears the picture of Murphy and his Medal of Honor.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/05/navy_destroyermurphy_050708w/
Posted : Friday May 9, 2008 8:36:24 EDT
The last Arleigh Burke-class destroyer will bear the name of a Navy SEAL awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan.
The Michael Murphy, DDG 112, honors Lt. Michael P. Murphy, who led a four-man team searching for a key Taliban leader in mountains near Asadabad, Afghanistan. On June 28, 2005, the team came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. According to the Navy, Murphy, although mortally wounded by enemy fire, knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds.
Navy Secretary Donald Winter announced the selection of Murphy’s name for DDG 112 at a May 7 ceremony in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
Murphy’s hometown of Patchogue, N.Y., dedicated a park in to Murphy. Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park contains a black granite wall dedicated to the men lost in Operation Red Wing, with each member’s name inscribed. A black granite stone embedded in the plaza bears the picture of Murphy and his Medal of Honor.
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/05/navy_destroyermurphy_050708w/
U.S. Navy Photo Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay Chu
